After a 15-year halt, Kenyan miraa farmers and traders can now resume road exports to Somalia, ending a long period of limited access that forced dependence on costly air transport.
The move is expected to revitalize the industry, boost incomes in Meru, and limit exploitation by cartels that dominated airport exports.
The reopening, confirmed by Interior and National Administration Principal Secretary Raymond Omollo, comes after approval from the National Security Council, allowing cross-border trade at Mandera, Liboi, and Kiunga specifically for miraa.
“The National Security Council Committee ratified the reopening of our border with Somalia for cross-border trade at the specified border points of Mandera, Liboi and Kiunga, specifically for transportation of miraa by road to Somalia,” Omollo said in response to queries from the Nyambene Miraa Farmers and Traders Association (Nyamita).
Nyamita, chaired by Kimathi Munjuri, praised the decision as long overdue. “This is a very bold, informed and overdue decision by the leadership in office that will be a game changer for our miraa industry in Kenya and Somalia. It has been a 15-year journey,” he said.
For years, Meru traders relied on air transport through Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, a process they say was expensive and controlled by cartels that demanded illegal fees. Munjuri said the closure had greatly reduced daily volumes and earnings.
“When the borders were open, we used to transport at least 20 tonnes of miraa worth about Sh5 million daily. These gains dwindled with the closure and entry of a cartel that demands hefty commissions at the airport,” he explained.
He noted that moving miraa by road and sea will weaken the influence of the airport cartels. “The cartels have no way of extending their terror to the traders moving miraa into Somalia by road and sea. Their tool has full control on issuance of permission letters to air carriers transporting miraa into Somalia airspace.”
Agriculture and Food Authority Director General Bruno Linyiru said the government is finalising safety measures for traders and cargo. “This government is working on the necessary protocols to ensure the safety and security of the traders and their cargo and will issue further communication,” he said.
However, concerns remain about security on the road routes. Igembe Miraa Farmers and Pluckers Welfare Association patron Adamson Muriki and chair Japhet Karuiru warned that threats in Somalia could put traders at risk.
“When we met the Somali ambassador to Kenya in the company of Meru governor Isaac Mutuma, we were informed that systems were being put in place to secure road users. No arrangements have yet been made to ensure transporters are safe once they cross the border,” Karuiru said.
Muriki added, “Why is Kenya opening the border, yet they know it is not safe to enter Somalia by road? Traders who attempted to ferry miraa to Somalia via Kiunga lost their consignment after it went bad. They could not reach the market due to insecurity. The president should come out clearly and explain the security measures put in place to secure transporters.”
The association also recommended increasing air cargo options by licensing more carriers, operationalising Isiolo airport, and resuming Kenya Airways flights to Mogadishu. Before the closure, about 40 tonnes of miraa were exported daily by air.
Following the official communication, Nyamita confirmed that transporters will start using the reopened border points immediately. The announcement comes shortly after Meru governor Isaac Mutuma assented to the Meru County Miraa Promotion Act, 2025, which gives the county government authority to oversee the trade.
Under the law, all stakeholders—including growers, aggregators, transporters, importers, exporters, and vendors—must be registered and comply with standards. The county agriculture department will monitor the entire supply chain, from production and harvesting to packaging and transport, to ensure food safety from farm to market.
